Brussels, May 24 — European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen welcomed signs of progress in talks between the United States and Iran aimed at resolving the recent hostilities in West Asia, while stressing that Tehran must not be permitted to develop a nuclear weapon and must halt destabilising actions across the region.
In a post on X, von der Leyen said Europe supports diplomatic efforts to de‑escalate tensions and secure regional stability. She said any agreement should genuinely reduce the conflict, reopen the Strait of Hormuz and guarantee full, toll‑free freedom of navigation.
Von der Leyen also urged an end to what she called Iran’s destabilising behaviour, whether carried out directly or through proxy groups, and described Iran’s repeated attacks on neighbouring states as unjustified. She said European partners will work together with international counterparts to seize a diplomatic opportunity for a lasting settlement and to limit the conflict’s spillover on global supply chains and energy prices.
Her remarks followed public comments by former US President Donald Trump, who posted that a deal had been “largely negotiated” between Tehran and Washington. In a post on Truth Social, Trump said the United States had been engaged in discussions with leaders from several countries about peace and stability in the Gulf region and the Strait of Hormuz.
Trump described a high‑level call from the Oval Office with a range of regional leaders — including representatives from Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Pakistan, Türkiye, Egypt, Jordan and Bahrain — and said he had separately spoken with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. He said final aspects of the agreement were still being discussed and that the Strait of Hormuz would be reopened as part of the arrangement.
An Axios report, citing a senior US official, said a draft memorandum for a 60‑day ceasefire between the United States and Iran was in its final stages. Negotiators were reportedly working to close remaining gaps and to avoid further escalation. The draft would rely on a strict “relief for performance” diplomatic architecture, the report said.
If implemented, the proposed package would immediately reopen the strategic Strait of Hormuz, temporarily relieve pressure on global energy markets and create a high‑stakes 60‑day window to negotiate a comprehensive dismantling of Iran’s nuclear programme, according to the same reporting. Trump and involved mediators have suggested an announcement could come soon.
Europe’s stated priorities mirror those objectives: durable de‑escalation, unhindered navigation through the Strait, non‑proliferation guarantees about Iran’s nuclear activities, and steps to prevent regional proxy violence and cross‑border attacks. Von der Leyen said efforts must also focus on shielding supply chains and energy prices from the conflict’s spillover.
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